Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impairs bone quality and strength, leading to fracture rates in patients with CKD that are 2- to 14-fold greater than in people without CKD. However, safe and effective bone-protective therapies for people with CKD are lacking.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has awarded Michal Melamed, M.D., Kimberly J. Reidy, M.D., and colleagues a three-year, $1 million grant to conduct the first randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test whether oral potassium citrate supplementation can strengthen bones in children and adults with CKD. The six-month pilot study will involve 15 children and 88 adults with mild-to-moderate CKD (stages 2 and 3). Bone strength will be measured using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). In addition, researchers will measure urinary net acid excretion and measures of bone turnover to assess how potassium citrate affects skeletal health.

Dr. Melamed is professor of medicine, of pediatrics, and of epidemiology & population health at Einstein and is an attending physician at Montefiore Health System. Dr. Reidy is an associate professor of pediatrics at Einstein and an attending physician at Montefiore. (1R01DK131811-01A1)